Bill Restructures Calif. Oversight Of Managed Care

June 1, 1998

California Gov. Pete Wilson last month proposed overhauling the state's managed care regulatory structure. The duties of the former Department of Corporations would be split between two new entities: a Department of Managed Health Care and a Department of Financial Services. Approval of the proposal is up to the state legislature.

The new managed care department would have a budget of about $16 million. In a letter to the legislature, Wilson said areas of focus for the department could include continuity of care, extended referrals to specialists, improving utilization review activities, helping consumers gain better information about the results and effectiveness of treatments, providing women with contraceptive services and improving access to specialists.